Compact digital cameras

[dmwill]

So I'm looking to get a new camera. Something small as my current Canon (A410) is getting a bit too big to take with me to most places.

Key thing I am looking for is decent night shots, in particular, in clubs. I'm sure most of you have seen photos taken at clubs by sub-$500 point and shoot digital cameras - pretty poor quality. I know this can come down party to the user (settings, not holding it stable etc), but there are times when you just want to leave it all on auto and just take a picture.

Currently looking at the IXUS range, but I am pretty open to suggestions.

[Adam]

Canon IXUS, continuously repeating this to everyone thats looking for a small compact camera!

Can find the IXUS 90 IS for about $280-$300
www.shopbot.com.au will get you some cheap prices

[ELUSIV]

The problem with compact cameras is they have an extremely high density of photo receptors on their sensor (the marketing that more megapixels is better is strongly to blame). Due to the high density the sensor essentially gets hotter and cannot disspate heat, etc.. which increases noise, the grainy appearance in night photos.
If you need a small point and shoot for night your top priority should be high ISO noise performance, even though they are extremely weak in this area that should be at the top of your priorities.
DPreview.com and DCresource.com are a couple of good places for reviews.
The Canon IXUS 950IS / Powershot SD850IS (same camera diff name) is probably one of the best but also easily the most expensive. Panasonic use Leica lenses which are usually great, Nikon and Sony also have similar cameras in this market area.

[FitzyB]

IXUS ftw, my sister and mum both have them, take a brilliant pic for what they are, and have some wanky colour highlighting settings to, deff what id have if i didnt have the dslr :)

[Fryman]

The problem with compact cameras is they have an extremely high density of photo receptors on their sensor (the marketing that more megapixels is better is strongly to blame). Due to the high density the sensor essentially gets hotter and cannot disspate heat, etc.. which increases noise, the grainy appearance in night photos.



ive always wanted to know why that is the case.

my sonys,
(n1, t100, w70,t300) all SUCKED ASS in the night time pictures and played around with all teh settings and pics in clubs and the nighttime come out always grainy

[6LtrJet]

Got this one http://www.lumix.com.au/dmc-fx36/ in Singapore earlier this year....

Cant fault it to date, takes superb pics and is easy to use.
I paid $329SG, saw it in duty free at Perth Airport for $549AUS

** The FX36 has now been superceded with the FX38 which has an RRP of $659AUD **

[TJ]

IXUS. Win.

Brockas has a nice sony that does good club shots, but id say its out of budget.

[pgc]

I've got the Lumix - TZ-3 and I love it. Awesome pics from a pocket sized camera. 10X optical zoom FTW.

[dmwill]

Got this one http://www.lumix.com.au/dmc-fx36/ in Singapore earlier this year....

Cant fault it to date, takes superb pics and is easy to use.
I paid $329SG, saw it in duty free at Perth Airport for $549AUS

** The FX36 has now been superceded with the FX38 which has an RRP of $659AUD **

That one has got me pretty interested actually. Spent the last hour looking at reviews, sample shots etc.

[dmwill]

Picked up the FX36 today after calling possibly every place that sells cameras in Perth. $400. Pretty happy with it - Night shots with odd lighting seem quite reasonable so far.